Amazing Grace

I decided to dig out my old Grace F9e to see if it actually worked, and to see how it would go on the Technics. Turns out it still sounds amazing.
I hadn’t listened to it in over ten years, and that was on a different turntable, with a completely different system, and it did sound pretty great then, but at the time I wanted to try other things, so it got put in a box and forgotten about. I also used to have an F-10L, and its matching GS-10 step up transformer that I stupidly sold many years ago in a fit of insanity, and I have regretted ever since.

Stylus looks to be in good condition and it certainly sounds good. I might put it on a nicer headshell than the old ADC one I had spare. Of course this tracks at a ridiculously low 1.2 grams… so I will be mindful of which headshell I choose.
I am even tempted to order one of the Soundsmith replacement styli for it.

“The Grace F9 Series are Japanese made, high-output MM (moving-magnet) cartridges with a flat frequency response across the entire audio range.

Features of the F-9 Series include:
Frequency response beyond 60 KHz – suitable for all CD-4 records.
An F-9E elliptical stylus that reproduces stereo and CD-4 with complete compatibility and excellence.
Extremely small magnet made from a rare earth cobalt formulation on each stylus.
Extremely light but strong cantilever, made from a special low mass alloy, for excellent transient response.
One point support of the stylus assembly which guarantees ideal reproduction in accordance with the laws of motion.
Excellent channel balance and low cross-talk through unique matrical-flux magnetic circuit of the Grace cartridges.

Universal acceptance by broadcasters and record manufacturers.”

I think I will buy one or two more cheapie/classic cartridges and round out my selection of cheaper cartridges for playing with. Maybe a basic Goldring, and I do want to get another Denon 103, of which I have had several but stupidly sold over the years. I do have a hankering for another Koetsu as well. I sold the two I had years ago.
I did recently have an old Grado Reference Sonata rebuilt by Chris Allman at Allclear Audio in Australia, and gave it a short run. It sounds very good as well. I need more time to be able to play with stuff!